Elephant ivory auction produces low prices, controversy

“The Namibian government sold 7.2 metric tons of ivory for $1.2 million, or an average price of $164 a kilo, to Chinese and Japanese buyers in what was the first of four auctions by southern African governments over the two weeks. The proceeds from the sales of the ivory — confiscated as contraband or collected after the culling of “problem elephants” — will go towards funding conservation efforts. “- mongabay